News

Lakes group wades into data, talks CLP progress

Local News September 18, 2026

FAIRMONT— The Lakes Management Committee reconvened in Fairmont on Tuesday after not meeting for several months. Most notable on the agenda was the preliminary data of the lakes research project, provided by Dr. Ryan Wersal. The group also heard a recap of Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP) efforts that took place over the summer. The lakes research project is a joint effort by the city and Minnesota State University-Mankato graduate and undergraduate students. Wersal said his crew has been down on the Fairmont Chain of Lakes once a week since May and plan to continue coming into October ...

Welcome holds street/utility improvements hearing

Local News September 18, 2026

WELCOME — The Welcome City Council met on Tuesday after the public hearing on the final assessment for 2025 street and utility improvements project. Travis Winter led the public hearing about the assessments for the finished street project. He presented a booklet with information including the history of the project, how to appeal, deferments, map of the streets involved, infrastructure replaced and funding information. About 20 residents attended on Tuesday evening at the Welcome Legion Hall. One resident asked who did the evaluation of the work the contractor did. Winter ...

Community showing on farmer mental health

Local News September 18, 2026

SHERBURN – Six years after a community showing of the movie “Silo,” which showed the dangers of grain bins, a free community showing of the miniseries “Perfect Sundays” is coming to the Sherburn Theatre at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 and 4 p.m. on Sept. 27. The showing of “Silo” in 2020 was done with Fairmont Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. It has also continued to be shown to classes since the community showing. Martin County West FFA advisor and agriscience teacher Stephanie Wohlhuter said showing “Perfect Sundays” is the first opportunity they have had to do a community ...

Coffee Hours continue in Welcome

Local News September 18, 2026

WELCOME — The Welcome Legion Auxiliary will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, at the Legion Hall. All members are encouraged to attend. American Red Cross blood drives will be on Sept. 21 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont, on Oct. 7 at Truman Public School, on Oct. 12 at ...

Police

Police September 18, 2026

FAIRMONT Wednesday, Sept. 16 7:16 a.m. — An animal complaint/bite was reported in the 400 block of East Blue Earth Avenue. 9:05 a.m. — Police investigated a fraud/counterfeiting complaint in the 500 block of East 3rd Street. 1:55 p.m. — A disabled/abandoned motor vehicle was reported at Winnebago Avenue and State Street. 3:44 p.m. — An animal complaint/bite was reported in the 600 block of Pioneer Drive. A verbal warning was issued. 4:47 p.m. — A disturbance/disorderly conduct/nuisance was reported in the 400 block of North Prairie Avenue. 5:16 p.m. — ...

Faribault Co. talks right of way

Local News September 17, 2026

BLUE EARTH— Safety in the right of way of county roads was one of the topics of discussion at the Faribault County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday. A policy on hay bales in the county road right of way (ROW) was also presented to the board for adoption by Public Works/county engineer April Wellman. “Hay bales in county road ROW can result in snow drifting across the road through the entirety of the winter,” Wellman explained. “This creates a hazard for the traveling public and additional work for the Public Works staff to track and plow these locations repeatedly for ...